Review of Eraserhead (1977) by Michael T — 30 Aug 2011

With this film David Lynch has not so much created a narrative as much as a shifting dream, which tries to follow a dark and disturbing tale of a man's fatherhood whilst living in a decaying industrial wasteland. The girlfriend (Mary X) of the main character (Henry Spencer) gives birth to a deformed hideous creature which turns Mary insane - resulting in her leaving and Henry looking after it.

The film later transforms into a more abstract yet intriguing sequence of merely connected scenes which reflect how Henry becomes irrational in the presence of the creature - some of which dwell on the sexual tension between Henry, his next door neighbour and a lady in the radiator - as well as Henry's nightmares, including one of which where his head is turned into pencil erasers.

This and a few other scenes make this film one that would make most people squeamish - but help to intensify this unique experience that David Lynch has created. Overall, I wouldn't say this is a film that is to be enjoyed - but more experienced, and that is what makes this film unique - as it comes across as a nightmarish fantasy.